Poland to reach deal with farmers to resolve Ukraine’s border blockade

On January 6, Polish Minister of Agriculture Czesław Siekierski will sign an agreement with farmers in Rzeszów, Poland, to help unblock the border crossing " Medyce -Shehyni."

Rzeczpospolita reports this.

The newspaper reported that the minister decided to provide written guarantees regarding the fulfillment of three demands of protesting farmers, namely:

• provision of subsidies for corn;
• guarantees of non-increase of taxes;
• cheap loans.

The ministry is still waiting for the notification from the European Commission regarding the allocation of one billion zlotys for corn subsidies.

In particular, the protestors were also outraged by the planned tax increase of 21%. The government nevertheless abandoned these plans, however:

• the Seimas must adopt the relevant laws,
• and local self-government bodies will receive state compensation from the 2025 budget.

In particular, the farmers demanded to extend the ban on the import of agricultural products from Ukraine to additional products:

• soft fruits;
• sugar;
• alcohol;
• honey;
• apple concentrate;
• eggs;
• poultry meat.

"Siekierski also confirmed that the embargo on Ukrainian products will continue to apply and is indefinite. The minister emphasized that Ukraine needs to be helped, but in such a way as not to harm the profitability of Polish agricultural production," the publication adds.

For reference:

On November 23, farmers joined the protest of Polish carriers. They intend to hold a three-day action in solidarity with transport industry representatives.

On December 24, Polish farmers completed the blockade in front of the "Medyce-Shehyni" checkpoint; truck traffic resumed.

But on January 4 of the new year, Polish farmers resumed by blocking the movement of trucks in front of the checkpoint "Medyce-Shehyni."

On the same day, Polish Minister of Agriculture Czesław Siekierski said that the Polish-Ukrainian border will not be opened for Ukrainian goods, and the embargo on their export to Poland will be indefinite.

In response, the European Commission sent a letter to Poland demanding the lifting of an indefinite embargo on duty-free imports of certain agricultural goods from Ukraine.